Indian table tennis needs a Saina: Mehta

MUMBAI: Paddlers Sudhanshu Grover and Manika Batra — with attacking games — usually instill fear in opponents. And while the duo is completely at ease facing a ball travelling at 250kms per hour, facing the cameras and being quizzed by the media proved to be a daunting experience for them. "We were not prepared for such exposure. It seemed never ending," said a dazed Grover."It was very new and really scary. On our way here I was telling her she will have to do all the speaking."
With just a day to go for his brainchild — the 2013 Reliance Cadet and Junior Open — eight-time national champion Kamlesh Mehta would have wanted nothing less.
"These kids are fantastic at their game. They are potential champions. But due to lack of international level tournaments in the country, players like them do not get the scope to improve on home soil. Neither do they get the media exposure. Table tennis needs a rounded facelift in terms of both performance as well as branding. You got to be the best at your game but you should be equally capable of handling the media. What Saina Nehwal did for badminton, players like them can do for table tennis."
Judging by the fact that he had only two months to organize a premium ITTF event, Mehta seems pleased with the outcome. "I had the dream of organising an international level tournament the city for over five years now. But we did not have an indoor venue to conduct it. There were a lot of factors and we did not have a free hand. But with the support of NSCI things worked out smoothly. They've even promised to host it for the next five years," said Mehta, who travelled to Hong Kong for a day to observe a premium event and lay the groundwork. "We needed to know what all went into the organising. We wanted it to be at par with international standards. The arrangements, branding, volunteers, lounges, table arrangements, prize distribution, call areas — everything needed research."
With fifty paddlers from six countries in the fray across 12 events for the prize money of $8000, the tournament — a first of its kind in the city — promises to be a crowd puller. Talking about India's chances, Grover said, "Our priority is the team event. Doubles and singles follow. The level of competition will be similar to the various international tournaments. Just because there are six teams it doesn't mean we will have an easy outing," he added.
While all five contenders seem strong enough, the Chinese present the toughest challenge. "We need to beat the Chinese. That's goal No.1," said Grover.
"I have never played the Chinese players who are coming down. I have not even watched them play. China always sends unknown players and mostly unranked ones so they can climb the charts," said the 18-year-old.
Being a ranking tournament, the incentives add up. "I am looking forward to this tournament to improve my world ranking and get into the top 70s, so that I can play the World Championship in Morocco," said the Under-18 World No. 95.
Explaining the significance of the tournament, Mehta said, "The youth Olympics are imminent. These points will help them next year and the next year's point will help in their seedings. Most of the girls are good. They have had a camp in Lucknow recently. So I am expecting medals from our team."